DRAFT - MINUTES OF THE COLNE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON TUESDAY 25 TH MARCH 2014 AT THE VILLAGE HALL Present: Cllr. D. Parsons (Chair), Cllr. C. Daniels, Cllr. G. Prangnell, Cllr. M. Day, Cllr. A. Steward and Cllr. H. Heylen. In attendance: 1 member of the public 1.00 Apologies. Action 1.01 Cllr. Moore, Cllr. Jackson, Cllr. Pomfret, Cllr. Criswell and Cllr. Bull. 2.00 Declarations of Interest. 2.01 Cllr. Parsons declared a pecuniary interest item 8.05 (2) and 8.07. 3.00 Minutes. 3.01 Minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on 25 th February were read. Cllr. Parsons proposed the minutes be approved. Unanimously agreed. The Chairman signed the minutes. 4.00 Matters Arising from the minutes of the 25 th February 2014. 4.01 (7.02) The Chairman reported that after an email received from Cllr. Criswell, Cllr. Daniels, the Clerk and himself decided to attend the Timebanking Information Session on Wednesday 5 th March at 7pm. After the meeting the Chairman explained to Cllr. Criswell that the Council had already agreed the precept for the following year and was not prepared to agree to a fixed amount of approximately 1600 a year. The Chairman reported to Council of responded comments on the Councils concern raised at the meeting 4.02 (6.01) Cllrs. Daniels, Day and Jackson attended the meeting on the 24 th March in Somersham. 4.03 (4.05) Add from the road to clarify the far side of the ditch. 5.00 Police Matters. 5.01 Cllrs. Jackson and Prangnell attended the Police Public Forum at Bluntisham Village Hall on the 6 th March. Cllr. Prangnell reported that Sergeant Street had already reported to Council at the Parish Council meeting of the burglaries in Colne. George Taylor is still the Neighbourhood Watch representative in the High Street. Dave McCandless is still a keen Speedwatch representative. 5.02 ECops - Monthly CID Update - For Circulation. ALL 6.00 Open Forum. 6.01 Cllr. Daniels reported what was discussed at the Cluster meeting in Somersham on the 24 th March, regarding the eight items on the Agenda. Council agreed with Cllr. Daniels in showing support for Paul McCloskys 190
nomination to represent Colne on the HSP Growth and Infrastructure Group and asked the Clerk to contact Somersham Clerk to confirm support for Paul McCloskys. Other points raised at the meeting included a local joint committee that could meet possibly twice a year to allow Councils in the local cluster to discuss topics of common interest. Councils to take it in turn to host the meetings. Cllr. Criswell promoted the idea for all local Councils to develop a Community Plan which clearly sets out their objectives based on consultation with residents. He also highlighted the need for local Councils to become more aware of local provisions, or lack of, for older people and public health and to consider Timebanking as an option to address in part these aspects. 6.02 Timebanking. After much discussion, it was proposed that there should be an opportunity to present the Timebanking system to members of Colne community. The Council suggested that a coffee morning be arranged, inviting groups that use the Community Hall and other various organisations within Colne to attend with other members of the public, Chairman to provide a list. The venue, to be the Community Hall, date of session to be determined depending on availability, contact caretaker, Tony Steward 01487 841735. Colne Community Hall Committee to provide refreshments. Lucy Bird, the Somersham Timebanking co-ordinator, would be asked to explain Timebanking to the meeting and the Council were prepared to pay Lucy Bird for her time on an hourly basis, on this occasion. There is to be a leaflet drop within the village shortly and advertising the coffee morning could also be incorporated in the drop and the Council would post notices on all village notice boards. The Council are reserving judgement on time banking and will re-evaluate depending on the feedback from the coffee morning, Timebanking information session. The Chairman said he would contact Cllr. Criswell expressing Councils views. DP 7.00 Correspondence. 7.01 Clerks & Councils Direct - For Circulation. The centre pages are of interest as they are about the Acquisition and appropriation of land by local councils. 7.02 Information as to What s on in St. Ives - For Circulation and on the Telephone Box notice board. ALL ALL 7.03 The Clerk emailed Gordon McMillan, from the Scouts - Regarding the Community Week, in June, asking if there was any charge. Mr McMillan replied saying that There is no charge for anything the Scout Group does, so long as it doesn't involve any materials B&Q can't supply. 7.04 Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS consultation information - For Circulation. ALL 7.05 Adult Support Drop Ins - For Circulation and put on notice board. ALL 7.06 Better Care Fund - For Circulation. ALL 191
8.00 Finance. 8.01 The Chairman reported that the Bank account balance at the 26 th February 2014 was 22,325.31. Business account balance 109.09. 25 cash was banked; this was for a newsletter advert. Outstanding invoices to arrive; 4,308.24 to CCC, Councils contribution to the LHI footpath work, 125.00 approx. to Eon Energy charges for 3 street lights and phone box, 125.00 to Somersham PC for the Speed watch Sign & 15.00 for the Timebank meeting. 8.02 The Clerk had now received this year s premium from AON and even though it was slightly lower than last years, which was 785, it was still 752, which is substantially more than Came & Company. The Clerk contacted Came & Company, as requested by Council, to have a revised quote including the playing field equipment, 9 seats, 4 notice boards and the 3 bus shelters. The revised quote came in at 797.73; the original quote from Came & Company was 465. These quotes could be reduced by a further 5% if the Council agreed to enter a 3-year binding contract. The Chairman proposed that the Council accept the original quote from Came & Company, not inclusive of the extra equipment on the premium, and to enter into a 3-year agreement, premium of 441.75, Cllr. Daniels seconded the motion. Agreed Unanimously. The Chairman asked the Clerk to raise a cheque. 8.03 The Clerk informed the Council that a donation was due to the Village Hall for the usage of the Small Hall (16 hours) from April 2013 March 2014. The Hall Hire costs this year are approximately 112. The Chairman proposed a donation of 140 be made and logged under section137. Cllr. Daniels seconded the motion. Agreed unanimously. The Chairman asked the Clerk to raise a cheque. 8.04 The Clerk has received the renewal for the CAPALC Affiliation Fee. 1 st April 2014-20 th March 2015, it has increased from 311.32 to 325.98. Cllr. Daniels said that the affiliation fees had already been paid in this financial year, Council decided to pay this invoice in April. 8.05 The Chairman proposed that this month s payments be approved, all members agreed. The following cheques were made payable: - Payee Expenditure Chq. Voucher Sum No. 1 Victoire Press Parish Newsletter 953 182 260.00 Ltd Order No. 0018 2 K. Parsons (February and March) 954 183 626.39 Wages 17 Hours, Clerks pay Feb/ Mar, ( 29.84) Expenses 3 Post Office Ltd PAYE 10-12 Months 955 184 309.32 4 Colne Village Donation for use of Hall 956 185 140.00 Hall 5 Broker Network Ltd (Section 137) Council Insurance April 2014-2015 8.06 Cllr. Daniels handed out the monthly budget report. Cllr. Daniels asked the Chairman and the Clerk to leave the room. 192 957 186 441.75
8.07 Cllr. Daniels proposed an ex-gratia payment of 125 be paid to the Clerk in April for compiling the Newsletter, seconded by Cllr. Prangnell. Agreed Unanimously. Cllr. Steward thanked the Clerk for all her hard work in compiling the newsletter. The Chairman re-took the chair. 8.08 The Chairman reported that the Clerk has contacted Ian Brooke, regarding the Internal Audit, and unfortunately he is too ill to complete the Audit this year. Michael Williamson from MiJan Consultants, Waterbeach (Bluntisham and Somersham PC have used these) is able to complete the Audit at a cost of 35 an hour and that a reference had been received from Swavesey Parish Council. Cllr. Steward proposed that the Council engage MiJan Consultants this year, seconded by Cllr. Heylen, all in favour. Clerk to arrange the appointment. 9.00 Planning. 9.01 The Clerk contacted Richard Siwicki, The Planning Enforcement Officer, regarding the oversize porch at number 39 East Street. The Planning Enforcement Officer has visited the site and agreed that the build does require a planning application due to the size and has written to the owners of the situation. Ref: 1400049ENEDOM. 9.02 The Clerk has received an agenda for planning applications requiring reference to Development Management; on the list for Colne is the erection of dwelling on Land at Bramley Lodge, Bluntisham Road, the meeting is to take place on 7 th April 2014. 9.03 Application - 1400222FUL - Langley House, High Street, Colne. Single storey rear extension and alterations. Council recommend Approval - The site is more than adequate to take an extension of this size. A more practical extension and improved appearance. 9.04 Application - 1400258FUL Baytree Lodge, 4 Colnefields, Somersham. Two storey extension to rear of dwelling and conversion of garage to annexe. Cllr. Daniels said that he didn t think there was any need for Council to comment on this application, all agreed. 9.05 Application - 1400176FUL Fairview, High Street, Colne. - Single storey extension to side and extension to hall at front. Council recommended Refusal at the last meeting and even though the plans have been amended Councils comments have not changed. 10.00 Highways and Byways. 10.01 The Chairman sought a quote to re-lay the footpath from Tidley Cross to join the new path, Earith Road; Two quotes have been obtained, from A & S Contractors at a cost of 2,358, Vat included, and RJS Landscapes at a cost of 2,880, No VAT to be added. Subsequently to the meeting a quote has been returned from Curtis Surfacing Ltd at 2,250 excluding VAT. Council suggested leaving this at the present time as it hadn t been budgeted for. 193
10.02 A schedule for this seasons footpath cut has been received for two cuts. Cllr. Steward to assess. 10.03 Cllr. Day reported that there was a large pole hole, just off the highway near to Samantha along the B1050. The Clerk to take photos and report on Fix my Street. AS 11.00 Drainage. 11.01 Nothing this meeting. 12.00 Open Spaces and Playing Field. 12.01 The Handyperson and the Chairman have cut back the Ivy and brambles off playing field wall. 12.02 Cllr. Day reported that the Ivy had now been cut off Mr Talls and Mr Christmas walls along East Street. Cllrs. Day and Heylen asked the Landlord of the Green Man to cut back their hedge, a month later it still hasn t been done. Councillors suggested the Clerk should write to the Green Man asking for the hedge to be cut back, before contacting Highways. 12.03 The village seat next to the Green Man pub needs to be moved forward away from the hedge and it requires the slats replacing, replacement recycled planks would cost 139.60 + VAT. The Chairman asked if the Handyperson could go ahead with this project, Agreed Unanimously. /DP 13.00 Land At Bluntisham Road. 13.01 Nothing this Meeting. 14.00 Village Hall. 14.01 On behalf of the Village Hall Committee, the Chairman sought quotes for the repairs to the tarmac, front and back car parks. Two quotes have been obtained, from A & S Contractors at a total cost of 3,864. RJS Landscapes at a cost of 3,600, No VAT to be added, still waiting for a quote from Tony Curtis Surfaces. The order for works to be placed by the Council as they are the custodians, the Village Hall to make a donation. The Council gave the Chairman and Cllrs. Steward and Daniels delegated powers to place an order to a limited amount of 4,500, when all tenders have been received. Subsequently to the meeting, Curtis Surfacing Ltd has returned a quote of 5,400 excluding VAT. 14.02 The Chairman highlighted that the meeting chairs & tables were in a poor condition and had sought a replacement cost in total of 787.20, VAT included from Office Furniture. The tables are to be the side stacking type as existing. Council unanimously agreed to purchase the items; as they would also be used by hall users, to ask for a donation from the Village Hall Committee. Clerk to place the order. AS/CD DP 14.03 The next event is a Wine Tasting Evening, Just for Fun, on the 9 th May at 7.30pm. Tickets 5. 194
15.00 Education. 15.01 St. Helen s Primary School - March s newsletter - For Circulation. 16.00 Date of next meeting - 29 th April 2014. 17.00 Matters For Future Consideration. 17.01 Cheque Signature Authorisation. 17.02 Cllr. Steward asked if the Council would consider providing a plaque and a new seat near the memorial to commemorate the Anniversary of WW1. The Clerk to find out costs from Filcris for a seat with an engraved plaque attached, for the next meeting. 17.03 Cllr. Prangnell reported that Community Broadband goes live in July and that Colne is within the transmitting range of the Haddenham mast. Councillors suggested inviting a representative to attend a PC meeting to explain more to Council. 18.00 Close of Meeting. 18.01 The Chairman closed the meeting at 9.20pm. Chairman s Signature............ Min - 25 th March 2014. Date... 195